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2 New Hot Wheels Collectibles That Will Make Some of You Happy for Christmas
18 photosPhoto: Mattel Creations
Christmas is just 41 days away! And I don’t want to go anywhere near the mall for a week beforehand. I’d rather enjoy life at a slower pace, at least when I’m not at the racetrack. That’s why I intend to only shop online for all the gifts I need for family, friends and myself.
Starting in November is also a good idea if you want to avoid potential shipping delays or depleting stocks. I always have fun choosing things for my loved ones. It’s just a bit more complicated when I have to find something for myself.
I could go in 100 different directions, but there’s one question that will often stop me in my tracks: “Do I really need this now?” I would love to get a new motorcycle helmet, but I don’t currently have a bike and I can also still use the Ruroc AT4.0 Cobra for next year. Buying a motorcycle doesn’t make sense when it’s snowing outside.
Part of me keeps thinking I should get a cheap turbo replica for the FC RX-7, but I just know getting the right parts will make a world of difference. New speakers will have to wait for a while, too, so I’m back to the simplest of choices: more Hot Wheels for my collection.
Now, the latest item in the Mattel Brick Shop line might not be available in toy stores before Christmas. But you can still pre-order one from your local dealer if you wanted to. The Maserati MC12 will be available as a 1:32nd-scale model, which means you’ll have to go through 259 individual pieces to get the job done.
I’m slightly surprised Mattel didn’t go for the two-tone (white and blue) finish for this first iteration, which isn’t to say the current paint job isn’t instantly recognizable. As always, you get a choice of two different wheel designs plus the 1/64th-scale Hot Wheels replica of the car inside the package.
So far, Ronald Wong’s casting has only had a Premium version, which means this is the first time we’ll be seeing it with a plastic chassis and non-Real Riders wheels. If you don’t want to wait for this Maserati you can always get an older Mattel Brick Shop release or look at what’s coming up on Mattel Creations in a few days!
I’m talking about one “Very Merry VW”: the T1 Rockster! We have known for some time now that Phil Riehlman’s casting would be this year’s Exclusive Holiday Car. I just didn’t realize it would be available this fast. The diecast manufacturer didn’t use it in 2024 or 2025, and I was slightly worried that it would never return.
I still have the 2023 RLC Exclusive variation tucked away in its blister card. Even though it’s the most common of all the variations on the market (30,000 units ever made), I’m quite tempted to release it from its plastic prison and have it up on my display shelf. The new Holiday variation uses the exact same wheels as all of its predecessors, which I don’t mind given I’m a big fan of this design.
Some of the holiday-specific design elements you’ll notice are the Spectraflame Red paint job, the gift deco, the green suspension setup and the RLC XMS plate on the back. I wonder if “snowy” tires would have made this thing more desirable or if they would have had the complete opposite effect.
I like the Rockster better than some of the special Christmas cars we’ve seen in recent years (like the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP 500 S or the 1952 Dodge Power Wagon), but doesn’t come close to my all-time favorite. That “award” goes to the 2018 Texas Drive’em, which ditched the two motorcycles in the back in favor of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Anyway, the “Very Merry VW” goes live on Mattel Creations on November 17, 2026 at 9 AM PT and will cost $28 a pop (with a limit of two units per customer as usual). Something tells me getting one won’t be that difficult, at least if you’re ready for it on the first day.
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Hot WheelsdiecastMattelHot Wheels VolkswagenChristmasMattel Brick ShopmaseratiHot Wheels Maserati
About the author: Dragos Chitulescu
The things Dragos enjoys the most in life are, in no particular order: cars, motorcycles, diecast cars, and drifting. He’s seen (and driven) many vehicles since he started his writing career back in 2009, but his garage currently houses a 1991 Mazda RX-7 FC3S Turbo II and a 1999 Suzuki SV650-S.
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